91探花 President Michael K. Young on Tuesday was named as the sole finalist for president of Texas A&M University by its Board of Regents. Young became President of the 91探花in July 2011. Young is expected to assume his duties at Texas A&M in the spring.
Statement from 91探花President Michael K. Young
鈥淒eciding to be a candidate for the presidency of Texas A&M University was one of the hardest decisions I鈥檝e ever had to make. I was not looking to leave the 91探花, but the allure of the recruitment process led to conversations in which the opportunity to bring new leadership and fresh ideas to another outstanding university presented itself with some force.
鈥淢y time at the 91探花 without question has been the most rewarding of my professional career to date. The University is one of America鈥檚 great universities, and I鈥檓 proud of what we鈥檝e accomplished here. There are many exciting initiatives in motion and much to look forward to. I believe my successor will have ample opportunity to build on what the outstanding leadership, faculty, staff, and students at the University have underway 鈥� and of course develop new initiatives of his or her own.
鈥淭he 91探花has many wonderful friends and supporters, both here in the northwest and around the globe. I am grateful to all of them for the support they have shown me and Marti and for their undying loyalty to the institution. I am also grateful to my many colleagues on the faculty and staff, and to our exceptional students. They have made my job relatively easy 鈥� they have achieved the many accomplishments of the university and deserve full credit. I will miss them all enormously.鈥�
Statement from Bill Ayer, chair of the 91探花Board of Regents
鈥淭he news about 91探花President Michael Young and Texas A&M University has come as a surprise to the Board of Regents. We are saddened and disappointed at the prospect of President Young departing from the UW, but we certainly wish him and Marti well. He has accomplished a great deal at the University, including a number of bold initiatives whose fruition will come after he is gone. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank him for his leadership.
鈥淭he Board will be convening soon to discuss succession of the presidency 鈥� on an interim basis at first and then plans for conducting a search for the next University president. We will be making announcements as decisions are reached.
鈥淭he University is thriving. We have a record number of applicants, we are the world leader among public universities for research funding, and our friends and alumni continue to show their generosity to the University in sheer record numbers. The Regents believe this remains one of the very best places in higher education to attract outstanding leadership, and we will go about the search with energy and great enthusiasm.
鈥淚n the meantime, we ask the University community to join us in expressing our appreciation to Mike and Marti Young and wishing them the very best in Texas.鈥�